The Greenbrier Community School and Headmaster Rece Nester announce The Bolling-Clay Scholarship. The rich history of Lewisburg must certainly include the Bolling High School which is now Greenbrier Community School and the level of commitment to the children of this county. Greeted with open classrooms and smiles abroad, the sunny rooms filled with activity, and the feeling of “love” was unshakeable. Encouraged to mingle, I had a chance to speak to teachers and children and was delighted to be a part of their day.
As the school embarks on its 25th anniversary, history becomes alive at the school once called Bolling High School.
‘Named for Mr. Edward Bolling, who was born in Greenbrier County in 1855. Bolling was educated at schools in Richmond, Virginia before attending Morgan State College in Baltimore, MD., returning to Lewisburg in the 1880s and becoming the principal of the then ‘Lewisburg Colored School’. He served as both an educator and principal for 50 years. In addition to his dedicated work at the school, Mr. Bolling was an active member of the community involved in many religious and social organizations. In 1932, following the death of Edward Bolling, Earl Charles Clay became principal of the Lewisburg Colored School, which he renamed Bolling Junior High and Elementary School in honor of Mr. Edward Bolling. Born in 1903. In Greenbrier County, Earl Charles Clay attended West Virginia State College and received his Master’s Degree from Virginia State College. In addition to being principal at Bolling, Mr. Clay taught chemistry and physics. In the spring of 1933, the Greenbrier County Board of Education decided to add a 10th grade for the following term at The School. The add-a-year policy continued until 1935 when bowling became a four-year high school in May 1936.
Fourteen graduates become the first alumni at Bolling High School. The School officially closed in 1963. Since 1936, Bolling High School graduates and its teachers have brought honor and dignity to the Greenbrier community, our state and nationwide. Greenbrier Community School was honored to again recognize the history and great legacy of Bolling, by offering eligible students the Bolling-Clay Scholarship. This is an annual $2,000 scholarship for any kindergarten or primary age student of ethnic diversity.’
The board members of the Bolling-Clay Scholarship Committee were a sincere delight to listen to as they emphasized the importance of diversity in education and highlighted the school’s history and their connection to the original Bolling-Clay School. They also discussed the implementation of personalized learning and assessment strategies in an innovative school environment, with a focus on understanding the curriculum and providing ongoing support for families. Twana Jackson, Pat Clay, Paula Clay, Yvonne Jones, Janice Cooley and John Newton discussed the creation of a scholarship for ethnic diversity in education and shared their experiences within the school and life, as it were, then and now. Pat and Paula Clay are the daughters of former Principal, Earl Clay. Many of the board members are also former students. John Newton is both a father of two students and a member of the board of trustees. Each board member spoke of their love and passion for the school and its children. Pearls of history dropped from the tales told. These tales should not be forgotten. Pearls that are worn with grace, style and commitment.
John Newton reflected on the diversity of Lewisburg and the school, noting the importance of understanding the history and experiences of the black community and appreciating the flexibility of the school’s curriculum in accommodating individual needs and the community school’s smaller student body and amazing staff, who engage students and tailor their teaching to individual needs. The group emphasized the importance of connections between teachers, students, and parents, which have helped their children thrive and reduced anxiety about school. The discussion mentioned the school’s image and how it has evolved over time, highlighting the demographic shift towards a more diverse student body and addressing the misconception that the school is only for wealthy, white families, emphasizing the school’s commitment to providing financial assistance and a true community feel.
When asked how the curriculum helps students at different learning levels, TRece Nester reports that the curriculum helps students at different learning levels in a few key ways. It uses an individualized diagnostic tool called “iReady” to assess each student’s strengths and weaknesses, and then generates personalized activities for them based on their specific needs. This allows students to be met exactly where they are and learn at their own pace, rather than receiving the same lesson regardless of ability. The curriculum provides diagnostic assessments to students in kindergarten and older in the fall, winter, and spring. It generates individualized learning activities based on each student’s strengths and weaknesses. On standardized state assessments, the school’s students scored an 87% pass rate compared to the statewide average of 40%. This highlights the effectiveness of the school’s individualized, station-based approach to learning.
The curriculum is also not teacher-led every day with the same material, but instead uses rotating stations so students can learn in different ways and have flexibility in how they engage with information. This has been shown to improve student performance on standardized tests compared to more traditional schooling approaches. When discussing children’s social and emotional growth, The school supports this in several ways. It prioritizes creating a safe environment where children feel comfortable taking risks, asking questions, and being themselves. The small class sizes allow teachers to get to know each child well and provide individualized support. The rotating station-based learning also helps reduce stress and allows children to learn in a way that works for them. Developing relationships between teachers, students, and parents also helps children feel secure and thrive at school. The people in the community are welcome to visit and tour the school to learn more about it firsthand. There’s no mistaking that the commitment and devotion established over a hundred years ago can still be felt when you are there.
Information can be obtained through the school’s website at https://www.greenbriercommunityschool.org/, by phone at 304.793.2420 or plan a visit by contacting the school’s office located at 413 Oak Street, Lewisburg, West Virginia.
